Another week - Another boost for a hopeful future

Posted by Thomas Teuwen1391.40sc on July 03, 2016

Good Sunday Morning,

Another amazing week for Canada. Another amazing week for Greens and the values we champion. The North American Leaders' summit was striking in its focus on climate change and building a continental energy grid to transmit clean energy from region to region so we can move away from fossil fuels as quickly as possible. There was no mention of pipelines and refreshingly the word energy was not synonymous with oil. The primary focus on hydrocarbons was the commitment to curbing the wasteful and destructive methane leakage at existing facilities and a commitment to addressing shipping and aviation sources of CO2. But most significantly there was a clear signal that the Harper targets will be abandoned in favour of a shared 2025 target that aims firmly at the 1.5 degrees we championed in Paris.

The CBC program then interviews Elizabeth (at 18:36). "It's a focus on climate as we have not seen it in the last ten years." You can also see an interview with her on CPAC where she talks about the need for new and aggressive Trudeau targets. And if the above picture isn't symbolic enough, this interview last Sunday with Elizabeth on Power Play underscores the role that Greens play in all this progress. But that's not all, Elizabeth also attended the second meeting of the Special Committee on Electoral Reform and although it was in-camera and we don't have a video clip for you, the timetable is now set and the process is under way to create a made in Canada alternative to our broken electoral system.

And speaking of making your voices heard, Fair Vote Canada has reached out to us to connect their letter writing team with ours. Elizabeth and Dan Palmer, our press secretary in Ottawa, keeps reminding us that writing letters and articles, especially to local newspapers on a regular basis, is such a powerful way to build public awareness about the issues that matter to us. They long for reliable sources of material that they can slot in when the opportunity presents itself so it's important we keep them coming. We all know that Electoral Reform is extremely important for Canadian Democracy and now that the committee is getting under way we have the opportunity to support this initiative and help make it happen. So if you are a letter writer and would like to add your voice to this campaign please let me know and I will connect you with this national network of letter writers.

Come march with Elizabeth! Now that the Special Committee on Electoral Reform has a schedule Elizabeth is finally able to make some plans to be home for the summer. They include marching with Pride in Victoria next Sunday July 10th. Visit this events page to get the latest on where and when to meet. For other opportunities to meet up with Elizabeth this summer keep an eye on this calendar as it will now get populated with events.

The Pride Parade is followed by a multi-faceted festival, with two stages of entertainment, a beer garden, a food court, a giant vendor area, a kids' camp, and this year a newly added politically-oriented Queer Town. When the parade finishes at MacDonald Park (approximately 1:00 pm), BC Greens will have an information booth in the vendor area. If you would like to volunteer at the parade or at the festival booth, please contact Dekan Delaney at dekan.delaney@bcgreens.ca

And finally on Saturday July 9th there is the paddle for the Saanich Inlet. Please RSVP to let them know that you may attend and receive updates. This event is weather dependent. By sharing your cell phone number it will allow the organizers to text and email you if they cannot "Paddle" due to weather.